MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake School District’s board of directors suspended board policy 3211: Gender Inclusive Schools during their March 20th meeting. The policy, required by Washington’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and by RCW 28A.642.020, protects the rights of LGBTQIA+ students from harassment, intimidation, and bullying Ryan Coulston was the sole no vote. The policy was originally adopted by the MLSD board in 2022. Coulston has not responded to our request for further comment on his vote
In addition to the policy suspension, the MLSD board also voted to send a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Education seeking protection from state intervention following the policy change.
The moves follow a board vote on March 6th to send a letter to Chris Reykdal, Washington’s Superintendent of Public instruction, informing OSPI that Moses Lake School District would not follow state policies regarding transgender student protections. OSPI responded by indicating that MLSD’s state funding could be in jeopardy as a result.
MLSD Policy 3211 reads, in part: “State law requires the district to adopt a policy and procedure that do the following: (1) incorporate the office of the superintendent of public instruction’s rules and guidelines developed under RCW 28A.642.020 to eliminate discrimination in Washington public schools on the basis of gender identity and expression; (2) address the unique challenges and needs faced by transgender students in public schools; and (3) describe the application of the district policy and procedure prohibiting harassment, intimidation, and bullying to transgender students.”
Matthew Pauluch commented at the meeting, “”Currently, there are no transgender girls competing in girls sports in Moses Lake. Changing the district policy in a way that violates state law would allow the state to withhold funding, which would effectively shut down the district due to the financial situation the district is in.” His comment was in reference to the district’s precarious financial position due to a double levy failure and a multi-million dollar accounting error last year.
Danielle Johnson, a 15-year MLSD employee, expressed disappointment in the board. “I’ve never been embarrassed to be part of this district until now,” she said in a public comment. Johnson noted that the district is not “facing a crisis of transgender athletes,” but added “we are facing a crisis of student disengagement, of school closures, of mental health effects of [cellphone] addiction, and a growing number of students who are disconnected from their education. And yet, the board is choosing to focus its attention on discriminating against a tiny, already vulnerable population.” She cited statistics for high rates of suicide and suicidal ideation among transgender teens. “When trans students are supported, when they’re allowed to participate, to belong, to be treated with dignity, those numbers drop dramatically,” Johnson said.
Coulston asked the board in discussion how, in the aftermath of their letter to OSPI, how the district could support the trans student population. “What can we do as we bring up these non-discrimination policies? How can we help them?” he asked. He also cited personal research into the risks that trans students face.
Board Chair Kirryn Johnson called Coulston’s remarks “off-topic,” though she believed that his concerns could be addressed at another time.
Director Amy Breitenstein questioned “why we aren’t looking at our student body as a whole?” She took exception with discussion of support for “these certain groups.”
Position 2 director, Paul Hill, said that the adoption of policy 3211 was a “huge deal. It was put off, and put off, and put off…because nobody wanted to deal with it.” He said that every student needs protection, not just certain groups. Neither Hill nor any other board member clarified which protections or supports non LGBTQIA+ students were being denied.
Superintendent Carol Lewis clarified with the board that the policy was not being revoked. “You’re suspending it while more thought and discussion goes into the situation,” she said.
Columbia Basin News has reached out to MSLD’s board members for further comment and clarification, and we will update this story as new information arises. We are reaching out to other local school districts to see if they are considering similar policy moves.
UPDATE: Warden School District has sent a similarly worded letter to OPSI regarding the difference between state and local law as it pertains to transgender participation in sports. The district also sent a letter to Washington Interscholastic Athletics and Activities (WIAA) endorsing the adoption of “amendment 7.” The amendment is an advisory vote regarding limiting participation in girls’ sports to biological females.
Columbia Basin News has reached out to Warden School District for comment.
